EXCLUSIVE: FBI takes over theft, bribery case involving Maui officers

The FBI has taken over a theft and bribery case involving multiple Maui police officers, Hawaii News Now has learned.

Anthony Maldonado and Chase Keliipaakaua were arrested last October and charged with bribery and hindering prosecution. Maldonado, a five-year veteran of the force, was also charged with theft.

Sources say he made contact with a citizen in Lahaina and asked to see his identification. That's when he allegedly took more than $1,000 in cash from the man.

Days later, Keliipaakaua, a six-year veteran of the force, allegedly tried to pay off the victim to withdraw the complaint.

University of Hawaii Law Professor Ken Lawson says the FBI coming in will eliminate any concerns about a conflict of interest.

"You don't want local police investigating local police," says Lawson, who believes the FBI are looking at a number of possible charges. "It could be for civil rights violations."

Sources say there is also a third Maui police officer connected to the case. A female sergeant has requested an attorney from the federal public defender's office as the case goes to a federal grand jury.

"This one investigation could expand and lead to numerous other investigations. That's not unusual," Lawson says.

Maldonado has since resigned from the department, but the other two officers remain on regular duty.

Scientists agree that the Earth has been warming due to human-induced climate change, and as temperatures continue to rise, an increasing amount of severe weather events are expected to occur. Hawaii has already been seeing some of the impacts, researchers say, so how can the state prepare for more severe effects in the future?

Scientists agree that the Earth has been warming due to human-induced climate change, and as temperatures continue to rise, an increasing amount of severe weather events are expected to occur. Hawaii has already been seeing some of the impacts, researchers say, so how can the state prepare for more severe effects in the future?